Crock Pot Oatmeal is one of our favorite easy-to-make breakfasts. This overnight crockpot oatmeal with apples is a family favorite! This simple, hands-off method allows us to cook a deliciously hearty and healthy slow-cooked breakfast so easily.
Warm and soothing, nothing is as delicious as a nice bowl of hot oatmeal. Whether it's to help you stay on track with a diet plan, comfort when you aren't feeling well, or have a fast and easy breakfast for the kids, this slow cooker oatmeal recipe is a must-make! This slow cooker oatmeal recipe is a must-make.
This slow-cooker steel-cut oats recipe is excellent for perfect results every single time. Plus, you get to eat delicious slow-cooked apples! Overnight Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole and Crock Pot French Toast Casserole are also great hands-off breakfasts.
If you prefer to eat your oatmeal as a bar on the go, you are in luck. We have tons of delicious oatmeal bar recipes!
Check out our Easy Baked Oatmeal Cups, Easy Blueberry Oatmeal Bars, and Easy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars for different options for healthy breakfasts.
We have some genius Crockpot Tips and Tricks if you need them. Also, you'll want to know the best tips for better slow cooking so your food tastes amazing every time!
Ingredients for Crock Pot Oatmeal
There are a few simple and wholesome ingredients needed for making slow-cooker steel-cut oatmeal:
- Steel Cut Oats - they won't go mushy while slow-cooking
- Milk - any dairy or non-dairy milk will do
- Water
- Apples - cut in chunks
- Cinnamon
- Brown Sugar - or maple syrup or honey
- Butter
- Vanilla
- Ground Flax Seed (optional)
- Salt
- Optional Garnishes
You'll also need a non-stick spray or a crockpot liner.
Can I Freeze Cooked Oatmeal?
Yes! Oatmeal is excellent for freezing and reheating down the road.
Just place it in freezer storage containers, label them, and date it. You can put it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw, then reheat it in the microwave in 1-minute increments.
Pro Tip: Freeze plain oatmeal with fresh berries added before freezing. When you thaw and reheat, this will add even more flavor!
How do I Reheat Oatmeal?
Since we usually store leftovers in single-serving containers, the instructions below are for that amount. The same process would work for larger amounts, but you would need to adjust cook times and add liquid.
Put 1 cup of cooked oatmeal into a microwave-safe bowl, and add an additional ⅓ cup of milk of your choice. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir.
If needed, cook in additional 30-second increments until the desired temperature.
Best Oatmeal Toppings
For this recipe, we made an apple cinnamon-flavored oatmeal. The best thing about the recipe is that you can definitely customize it to your preference.
If your family doesn't like apple cinnamon, you can add tons of other flavors to make your oatmeal just as tasty.
The method is the same. Just sub in different spices and fruit or nuts.
- Blueberries with cinnamon and pecans.
- Pumpkin with pumpkin pie spice.
- Diced pears and nutmeg.
- Peaches and added cream.
- Peanut butter and chopped peanuts or a swirl of jelly when served.
- If you want to add extra protein, use a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder in your crockpot oatmeal.
How Long to Cook Oatmeal In the Crockpot
This recipe is somewhat forgiving, but cooking your crockpot oatmeal for 7 hours with steel-cut oats is optimal so that it doesn't turn too mushy.
Step By Step Instructions
Make homemade slow cooker oatmeal a family favorite breakfast. It works well for busy mornings or whenever you need an easy breakfast!
Step 1 - Coat Insert with Non-stick Spray
Coat the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or line it with a crockpot liner.
Step 2 - Add Main Ingredients
Add all of the ingredients except for your additional toppings to the slow cooker. Stir well and cover.
Step 3 - Cook
Cook on low for approximately 7 hours. Adjust the time to your slow cooker if it cooks cooler or hotter.
The apples tend to rise to the top but give it a good mix, and your all set!
PRO TIP: If your slow cooker tends to run hot, you can also use the warm setting for cooking
Step 4 - Serve
When done cooking, spoon your slow cooker oats into bowls and top with preferred additional toppings and a drizzle of milk.
Tips for Making Oatmeal in the Crock Pot
- To make this recipe plain oatmeal, omit the apples.
- It's important to use steel-cut oats when making your oatmeal in the crockpot overnight. Old Fashioned or quick-cooking oats will turn to mush with the extended cooking time.
- If you decrease the cooking time, you can use old-fashioned oats.
- You can use all water if you want to make this recipe dairy-free.
- To reheat single servings, put 1-cup cooked oatmeal in a microwave-safe bowl. Add ⅓ cup milk. Then, microwave on high for 1-minute; stir. Continue heating for another minute or until the desired temperature is reached.
- We recommend using a 6-quart programmable crockpot and liners if you're afraid your Overnight Slow Cooker Oatmeal will stick to the sides of your crockpot.
More Crockpot Breakfast Recipes
If you love the ease and convenience of overnight crockpot breakfast recipes, try one of these recipes.
Crock Pot Cinnamon Roll Casserole
Crock Pot Peanut Butter Oatmeal
Blueberry Slow Cooker Oatmeal
Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
How to Store
Store any leftover slow cooker oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or two.
Reheat in the microwave at 1-minute intervals until heated through. You may want to add ¼ to ⅓ cup of milk if it gets too dry.
Share This Recipe With Others
If you try this Crock Pot Oatmeal or any other recipe on Suburban Simplicity, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let us know how it went in the comments below; we love hearing from you! Better yet, use the hashtag #suburbansimplicity if you make the recipe.
You can also FOLLOW US FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food, fun crafts, + DIYs!
Other Delicious Breakfast Recipes
1-Minute Sausage and Cheese Omelet
Quinoa Frittata
Breakfast Bagel Bites
Cherry Almond Smoothie
Healthy Breakfast Sundaes
Printable Recipe
Crock Pot Oatmeal Recipe
Equipment
- 5-6-quart Crockpot
- Mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 2 apples (peeled, cored, cut into ½-inch pieces (about 2-½ to 3 cups chopped))
- 1 cup uncooked steel-cut oats
- 1-½ cups fat-free or low fat milk (or substitute non-diary alternative like almond milk)
- 1-½ cups water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or substitute maple syrup or other desired sweetener)
- 1-½ tablespoons butter (cut into 5-6 pieces (optional))
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
- Optional garnishes: chopped nuts (raisins, maple syrup, additional milk or butter)
Instructions
- Coat inside of slow cooker with cooking spray. Add all ingredients (except optional toppings) to a slow cooker. Stir and cover.
- Cook on low for approx—7 hours (slow cooker times can vary).
- Spoon oatmeal into bowls; add optional toppings, if desired. Store leftovers in the refrigerator. Freezes well.
- To reheat single servings: Put 1-cup cooked oatmeal in a microwave-proof bowl. Add ⅓ cup fat-free milk. Microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. Continue cooking for another minute, or until hot.
Video
Notes
- To make this recipe plain oatmeal, just omit the apples.
- It's important to use steel-cut oats when making your oatmeal in the crockpot overnight. Old Fashioned or quick-cooking oats will turn to mush with the extended cooking time.
- You can use all water if you want to make this recipe dairy-free.
- To reheat single servings, put 1-cup cooked oatmeal in a microwave-safe bowl. Add ⅓ cup milk. Then, microwave on high for 1-minute; stir. Continue heating for another minute, or until the desired temperature.
Krissy Allori says
I love crockpot oatmeal. It's so easy to set it and forget it and then the smell in the house is amazing too.
Valentina says
This crockpot oatmeal recipe is my go to recipe for how to make oatmeal! So easy and AMAZING!
Erin Henry says
Yes, ours too! So easy and so good. Great for busy mornings.
natasha says
what a great idea to make oatmeal for the masses! and great flavor
Erin Henry says
It's wonderful when you have company staying with you or somewhere to be the next morning and don't have time to cook a full breakfast.